The correlation between disease awareness, disposition, and caregiving competency among parents of children with congenital heart disease in selected communities in Vietnam

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate the relationship between disease awareness, caregiving disposition, and competency among parents of children with congenital heart disease. Methodology: A correlational descriptive study was conducted involving 275 parents of children with congenital heart disease across three regions: the Mekong Delta, Central Highlands, and Central Coastal areas. Results: Parents of children with congenital heart diseases demonstrated a high level of disease awareness, with a mean score of 3.82. Their atttitude towards the condition was notably positive, scoring an average of 4.65, and their caregiving competency was similarly strong, with a mean score of 4.36. While no significant correlation was found between disease awareness and both disposition or caregiving competency, a significant positive correlation was identified between attitude and caregiving competency, reflected by a high correlation coefficient and a p-value of less than 0.001. Furthermore, the study revealed that the linear regression model had an r² value of 0.386, indicating that 38.6% of the variability in caregiving ability could be explained by factors, such as acceptance of the condition, recognition of parental role, and support and collaboration with other parents of children with congenital heart disease. Conclusions: Disposition and caregiving competency play a critical role in determining the health outcomes and quality of care for children with congenital heart disease. As such, it is essential to design and implement specialized training programs tailored for parents, aimed at strengthening their caregiving skills and improving the overall well-being of their children.